Loss of 2 Akt (Protein Kinase B) Isoforms in Hematopoietic Cells Diminished Monocyte and Macrophage Survival and Reduces Atherosclerosis in Ldl Receptor-Null Mice.

ABSTRACT: Objective- Macrophages express 3 Akt (protein kinase B) isoforms, Akt1, Akt2, and Akt3, which display isoform-specific functions but may be redundant in terms of Akt survival signaling. We hypothesize that loss of 2 Akt isoforms in macrophages will suppress their ability to survive and modulate the development of atherosclerosis. Approach and Results- To test this hypothesis, we reconstituted male Ldlr^-/- mice with double Akt2/Akt3 knockout hematopoietic cells expressing only the Akt1 isoform (Akt1^only). There were no differences in body weight and plasma lipid levels between the groups after 8 weeks of the Western diet; however, Akt1^only→ Ldlr^-/- mice developed smaller (57.6% reduction) atherosclerotic lesions with more apoptotic macrophages tha

SUBMITTER: Babaev VR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6344270 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature